I couldn't pause since I had started to read this story. It's captivating...
It seems quite realistic in my opinion: especially in regards Optimus, Megatron and Soundwave.
But I don't really believe Starscream be happy to just follow Ratbat's ideas (in be another marionette in his game).
And I really can't believe Autobots to be happy just play along with Optimus' sucrifice.
I think Autobots are always hypocritical just a bit, but that scale of pretence that 'everything's just fine' is beyong my imagination. But that's my ideas, I was proved wrong on many of my assessments before..
I'm looking forward to your updates and I'm curious about the continuation...

Poor Sounders.

Not easy to face some truths, but it seems Megatron did.

Wait, I'm confused. I thought Starscream was the leader now and Soundwave's master. What's Ratbat doing in this?

There's a very hot place in the Pit waiting for Ratbat, I'm sure. Poor Soundwave.

Congrats on returning to a WIP. As always, I just don't know what this story does to me. It breaks my heart, yet it makes me smile. I wept for Optimus in this chapter, in addition to weeping for Soundwave like I have in all the other chapters. Something about Optimus' willing martyrdom and submission brings to mind a Christ-like imagery, which is no surprise given how the show's writers often treated him the same way. "I died for your sins" - "I became a sex slave to save you all" It kinda works. Poor Optimus, nobody should have to do that, but then I guess in a way he didn't have to. He just did.

So fine, poor Soundwave. He had to. And I still don't know if this is anything better than what he had before.

yay soundwaves existence may not be so bad after all :)

Oh wow, forgive me if this review is a little incoherent, I'm super happy you've updated!

It made me really happy to see this view into Optimus' mind, it really makes SO much sense. I'm not sure whether to be grateful or SUPER concerned about the level of influence the matrix still has over him though...

Soundwave just continues to break my heart, even when I think like I have no more feels left in me. He's just so BROKEN that I'm desperate for things to get even minimally better for him, and I really hope this new development with Brawl improves his situation!

Megatron... I don't even know what to say about him. Poor dude needs a hug from someone NOT Starscream. I was really happy to see Starscream finally make his appearance, though. He definitely didn't disappoint, but I'll admit that I might have made a lot of very high-pitched, anxious noises when he turned up. Starscream having that level of power over ANYONE is... not good.

Thank you so much for continuing!

I am so glad you did :D I do enjoy this story, I like how you show off Optimus' thoughts of everything here. Is wonderful

I actually got the chance to read this Thursday morning at Botcon, while all my roommies were still asleep, but the phone is no decent place to try and leave a review, and I needed to eat breakfast anyway. So here I am two weeks later, but still reasonably confident I can remember the chapter's goings-on. I was, of course, hugely disappointed that Soundwave is settling for Brawl; I feel he can do so much better. At one point in his life, he certainly DID. But now he's on the lowest rank of the food ladder, I get that, and he's just trying to ensure he'll survive to another day. I don't know if Brawl's quite cut out for what he's started. He's just your average joe, the kind of guy that would dine on beer and pizza if he were human, and even a deaf and mute Soundwave might be too much of an intellectual outmatch. But he's at least strong and in a position to protect Soundwave, though the protection shouldn't be needed. Honestly, I don't even get why Breakdown gets to be in such a position of power over him. While the Combaticons are obviously in the Starscream camp, and the Constructicons are neutral (and useful) enough to wind up on the winning side no matter what, I associate the Stunticons with being pro-Megatron. Not sure how Motormaster wound up in the position of getting harem visit prizes dished out by Starscream.

Skywarp's news of the cassetticons, though, was most definitely welcome and obviously precious to Soundwave. It was heartwrenching, really. And Megatron grumpily remouthing the words so he could understand was even halfway sweet. I hope Soundwave snuck away a shard of table so he can shank Starscream later. He deserves his freedom, and the chance to reunite with his little loved ones! Go Soundwave! I'm rooting for you.

Quite interesting scenario that you got together here... uhh, I can hardly write anything about it really. It is just that... potent.

I'm having a hard time figuring out why you haven't gotten more reviews. This fic is seriously AMAZING. I want to say so many things, like how fantastic your characterization is and how unique a story this is (and how much I'm enjoying it!) and how your words flow so wonderfully that it's really a pleasure to read.

But most of all, I wanna say how much I'm looking forward to the next chapter D You've won me over completely!

This is an amazing story. When I found it last night I had trouble going to bed without finishing (but I HAD to). I love the length and detail you have gotten out of it. What is exceptional is that you have made each chapter a decent length while not making it obsessively detailed (leaving some to the readers imagination but creating a world that can be visualized). That is a truly amazing. You also only triggered my inner English teacher once or twice and that was with words that must have slipped through a spell checker ("they" instead of "the).

Well done.

Omg, I'm hooked!

It started off so... Well, not lighthearted perhaps, but it wasn't the crushing despair of chapter 2 at least...

Argh, all my feels for Soundwave ;_;

I'm reviewing solely to add this to my Alerts, but for what it's worth - reading reviews or not - I am absolutely captivated.